Today, May 1, coinciding with the commemoration of International Labour Day, the Greater Jakarta Joint Labour Secretariat (Sekber Buruh) again took to the streets. This was done as a protest and as our responsibility to convince the majority of people that this beloved country is still living in misery.

Oh God... I just pray for retirement... because my job in this country has been taken over by government officials!

According to the Supreme Audit Agency there were irregularities of US$33 billion in Social Assistance Funds (Dana Bantuan Sosial) in 2007-2010.

Jakarta – The political elite in this country should use the holy fasting month of Ramadan as a moment for introspection and evaluation, to ask whether their policies side with the ordinary people or not.

Kid: There’s no point setting your beard on fire (getting in a twist, a panic, furious) Mr, you’re the one who didn’t keep it trim and neat (to keep one’s own house in order)!

Cake tray reads: Coalition

Papers in bin read: Bank Century, tax mafia inquiry, reshuffle

1st Man: A senior official has resigned over an illegal donation...

2nd Man: So they’re serious about creating clean governance then?

1st Man: Not here, in Japan...

Headline: Japanese FM resigns.

Man: They say to be involved in politics you have to be like a rat, sniff things out first, then bite!

Kid: That’s right dad! It’s also what’s called a political rat! – a play on the word politikus: politik (politics) + tikus (rat) = politician.

M Hernowo and Anita Yossihara – The Joint Secretariat (Setgab) of political parties supporting the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. This was one of the important political “breakthroughs” in 2010, and the controversy surrounding it has continued to this day.

Taxation, Politics, Funny business

Jakarta – The widespread use of political image projection, including in the recent elections of regional heads, is further driving up the cost of competing in elections. Political costs are being sapped to pay for survey institute services and political consultants. This is the “big harvest” for political consultants.

Despite the recent rift in the pro-government coalition and the continuing outcry over the Lapindo mudflow disaster, regional elections in Sidoarjo, East Java, have seen the Democrat and Golkar parties joining forces to back candidates from Lapindo Brantas Inc, the company widely blamed for the massive social and ecological disaster that has inu

Sri when will you come home. You left without telling me. They say you went to the market to buy prawn paste, but you still haven’t come home... come back now Sri... come back now. (adapted from Sri Ran Away by Sony Josz)

Let us unite to overthrow the pro-imperialist government of SBY-Boediono and the rotten political elite. Replace them with a United Government of the Poor!

Suits: Political parties, funny companies, tax mafia

Kid: Forgetting, forgetting the people again... thinking, just thinking about positions... (Adapted from the hit song Forget Forget Remember by the Grave Band)

Suits: Co-ali-tion. Sign: Vested interests

Man: Who said a coalition for the truth?!

Kid: And not for us right Dad?

Kid: Wage rises and luxury cars for government officials... it’s just the same as salting the sea Mr. (a waste of time)

Man: Politics is expensive don’t you know!

The following is a compilation of abridged translations of the January 28 protest actions held around the country to commemorate the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's second administration. The reports are ordered alphabetically by city.

Fortune teller: In time all truths will come out. But no matter how bitter, it must be faced wisely. This is the Year of the Tiger!

2010 is shaping up to be another year of drama and controversy with most of the political scandals that dominated the close of last year yet to run their course.